Scope note
Location: Botswana and South Africa. Eight Tswana kingdoms (merafe) were officially recognized by the British following the establishment in 1885 of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. In Botswana, the hereditary chiefs of the eight principal Tswana tribes - Bakgatla, Bakwena, Balete, Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Barolong, Batawana and Batlokwa - are members of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi, an advisory body of the Parliament.